Arguably the line by which all other Art Nouveau floral designs are measured, Durgin's 1900 "New Art" embodies the exuberance, lushness, and fullness of expression that characterizes this style mode.

The scale of pieces in this pattern is large, as evidenced by the fact that this 8 3/4" long, very heavy at 4.7 T. oz., piece is identified as a preserve spoon, when it is actually the size of a typical berry spoon.

Multi-motif, the portraiture on this is lily. The blossoms and leaves fold o...

This pair of 5 3/4" long, 1.0 T. oz. combined, coin silver teaspoons are marked "J & I C & C" for the partnership of brothers John and James Cox who worked during the second quarter of the 19th century, from 1817 on, and was continued by John after James' death in 1852.

The style suggests a date from early in their history. They have slender shanks, down turned, "Reverse Tipt," ends, and exposed drops on the heel reverses.

Each one is engraved in a fancy, feathered script, "TM" monogram se...

Without a formal name, but commonly referred to as "Peony" for the large, single, arched, blossom that appears on the end of the handle, this circa 1885 pattern is also characterized by its twist stem.

The line is number "26," by Whiting, and this number, along with the company "lion" logo and "Sterling," appears on the backsides of this youth set, comprised of a 6 3/8" long fork and 5 7/8" long spoon, with a combined weight of 2.1 T. oz.

Larger than most examples of this piece, measuring 5 7/8" long and weighing an exceptionally heavy 1.7 T. oz., this circa 1895 spoon was made by Watson, whose pennant emblem and the word "Sterling" are imprinted on the reverse.

A souvenir item, the handle portrays a standing miner wearing boots and a hat, holding a chunk of ore in his left hand and with his right hand leaning on a crow bar or such.

First appearing in Gorham's 1884 catalogue, offered as a set of twelve, "Number 3" oyster or seafood cocktail fork was illustrated in later catalogues (through the 1890s) shown with other exotic designs of the period (see image 2).

The primary feature of the pattern is an apparent bat face situated at the end of the handle. This suggests some resemblance to a boar or devil as well.

Other design details include wings, and possibly toes, wrapping around both sides of the handle.

Measuring 3 3/4" long and weighing a robust 1.1 T. oz., this baby or infant spoon was made by Tiffany & Co. and is so marked, along with "Sterling," "m," and model number "1338."

While not a line pattern, it has the plain, clean style of an Arts & Crafts piece, akin to Tiffany's "Gramercy" or "Hamilton," and, as do those pieces, likely dates from the second or third decade of the 20th century.

Building upon motifs drawn from classical mythology, Tiffany's "Olympian" is a highly expressive and intricately rendered design.

The theme on this 7 3/8" long, very heavy at just under 3.8 T. oz., gravy ladle is "Paris, the son of Priam," which was one of seventeen different subjects offered in this line (William P. Hood Jr., Tiffany Silver Flatware).

It has a plain, oval, 2 3/8" by 2" by 3/8" deep, bowl, with a large classical face on the backside heel.

This item is a three piece, base, liner, and lid, coin silver, butter dish.

The bottom measures 6 1/4" across, stands 1 1/2" high on a rimmed base, and weighs 5.9 T. oz. The fitted liner is 5 1/2" across and weighs 3.1 T. oz. Lastly the lid is also 5 1/2" wide, 2 3/4" high to the top, and weighs 6.3 T. oz.

Relatively plain, the top has a cast cow finial attached by a threaded extension and thumb screw on the underside.

Measuring 6" long and weighing a heavy 1.3 T. oz., this teaspoon is an early example of Dominick & Haff's figural, 1900 date of issue, "Labors of Cupid" pattern, the image on this being a cherub sitting at a table with a cup in hand.

It is in immaculate condition, showing no wear whatsoever, retaining all the precise detail of the original design, and visible for example in such as the grain of the table, the weave in the basket holding fruit, or the spindles in the chair back appearing on th...

It has a "Tipt" end handle and is engraved "W E K" in feathered script lettering set sideways on the handle. There is a line drop on the backside heel of the pointed end bowl.

Dating circa 1840, it is stamped "G W & H" for the New York City partnership of William Gale, Jacob Wood & Jasper Hughes, along with a right facing eagle and bust pseudo hallmark that McGrew in his work on marks identifies as associated with Gale.

Lengthy at 5", and weighty at 1.7 T. oz., this pair of tongs are heavily ornamented in a way that is reminiscent of the dominant architectural style popular in the period of the piece.

The pattern, "Paris" by Gorham, was issued in 1900, at the crest of the Gilded Age, and reflects the same Beaux Arts design sensibilities that generated, for instance, many of Newport's grandest mansions and innumerable monumental public buildings throughout the country that yet stand as iconic reminders of the...

A large item, measuring 10 3/8" long and weighing nearly 2.7 T. oz., this solid silver ice cream slice was made by Frank Whiting in the "Palm" pattern.

Introduced in 1887, and embodying an Aesthetic sensibility, "Palm" is a floral and leaf design with a large fan or spray element at the terminus that evokes a palm leaf. The design is raised, lending it a chiseled or sculpted quality.

The blade on this is a statement in its own right. It has a sweeping lower edge running to a defined point,...

Measuring 5 7/8" long each and weighing 3.2 T. oz. the lot, each of these six spoons has a broad, tipt end handle with a twisted stem. The bowls are generously proportioned at 2 1/8" by 1 1/4" and have pointed tips.

They are marked "Rhoads" for Henry Zahm Rhoads, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania jeweler and watchmaker. Information in an online biography suggests these date within a narrow time frame, between 1861 when Rhoads returned from an apprenticeship in Virginia at the outbreak of the Civil Wa...

One of Gorham's earliest coin silver master salts, this is also an exceptionally fine example of the form.

Model number "18," as identified on the underside, along with the rare "left lion" version of Gorham's hallmark, the word "Coin," and the name of the retailer, "W.H. Talbot & Co.," (more commonly spelled "Talbott") of Indianapolis.

This is large, measuring 3" by 2 1/4" by 1 5/8" high, and robust weight at just over 2.4 T. oz.